Guide To The Symptoms Of Myasthenia Gravis

Jaw Muscle Weakness

Jaw muscle weakness can manifest in an individual affected by myasthenia gravis as a symptom of their disorder. The primary muscle an individual uses when moving the jaw is called the masseter muscle, which is located on the back of both sides of the individual's face and connects the lower jawbone or mandible to both of the cheekbones. The jaw movement is also dictated by three other muscles: the medial pterygoid, temporalis, and lateral pterygoid. All of these muscles are controlled by one division of the trigeminal nerve, and they work together in different groups to move the jaw up and down. The jaw and muscles that move it function to allow the individual to chew, bite, and handle food in the mouth. The immune system attack in myasthenia gravis causes the nerves to be unable to transfer impulses to the four muscles that move the jaw. Myasthenia gravis patients may experience weakness that causes them to be unable to close the jaw because the nerve impulses are not reaching the masseter and temporalis muscle. The jaw muscle weakness may become worse when eating large meals, larger pieces of food, and drinking hot liquids.

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